Lachlan Galvin calls in heavyweight legal representation as more Tigers dragged into Wests Tigers saga
Lachlan Galvin has called in the heavy artillery for his potential legal showdown with Wests Tigers as two of the star playmakers closest allies at the club have been dragged into the saga.
The heavyweight lawyer who represented the Bulldogs in their battle against Sonny Bill Williams and Jack de Belin in his legal stoush against the NRL has taken up the fight for Wests Tigers star Lachlan Galvin.
Arthur Moses SC has been enlisted to advise Galvin in his bunfight with the Tigers after the teenager and his management sent the club a legal letter outlining allegations of bullying and an unsafe workplace.
News of Moses’ involvement in the Galvin spat comes as Parramatta reiterated their interest in the 19-year-old, the Bulldogs officially pulled out of the race and the players union confirmed their concerns over a spate of issues at the Tigers stretching back to the pre-season.
Moses SC represented the Bulldogs in their Supreme Court fight against Williams when he fled the country to play rugby union in France and then de Belin in his legal fight with head office over the contentious stand-down policy.
He has now taken on the Galvin case as the Tigers teenager takes on the club over his treatment in recent months.
It is understood that the claims against the Tigers go beyond recent social media posts by teammates Jarome Luai and Sunia Turuva, which were seen in some quarters as an attack on Galvin after his decision to inform the club he wanted to leave at the end of his existing contract, which expires after the 2026 season.
The Tigers have denied the bullying accusations. However, Galvin’s concerns with the Tigers come as the Rugby League Players Association seeks answers over the treatment of several players at the club stretching back to the pre-season.
This masthead revealed late last year that as many as five players had been issued with breach notices or warnings in the pre-season after they failed to return to training in the right physical condition.
Former Tigers star Aaron Woods revealed on Triple M at the weekend that Galvin was upset with the treatment of some of his friends and teammates including Justin Matamua and Brendon Tumeth.
Matamua and Tumeth are both top 30 contracted players but have been playing in the Ron Massey Cup and Sydney Shield respectively.
It is understood RLPA officials met the Tigers as late as last week in a bid to receive some clarity around their handling of some of their players including Matamua and Tumeth.
Galvin, meanwhile, turned out for Western Suburbs in the NSW Cup on Monday afternoon, having been omitted from the NRL side which faced Parramatta on Monday afternoon.
Galvin was axed for that game after Marshall opted to send him back to NSW Cup, having addressed his immediate future with the senior leaders.
Galvin had a solid game for the Wests as they were put to the sword by Parramatta at Lidcombe Oval, setting up one try.
After the game he was shielded from the media. It is unclear whether he will be back in contention for the NRL side for their next game as Marshall prepares to name his side to take on Cronulla on Tuesday afternoon.
He continues to be eyed off by rival clubs as they keep a close watch on developments at the Tigers in coming days and weeks, although it is understood the Bulldogs have opted not to join the ranks of the chasers because of the uncertainty over the timeline of any potential release and concerns over where he would fit into a side that is flying high with Matt Burton as their starting five-eighth.
The Eels have no such concerns. Parramatta coach Jason Ryles had already expressed an interest in Galvin, which he reiterated after his side’s second win of season on Monday afternoon.
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